Home Office

Police: Finance

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what date they first discovered that the funding formula for police forces in England and Wales was based on incorrect data.

Lord Bates: The Minister of State for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Victims made a statement to the House on Monday 9 November on this issue. Ministers were informed of this issue on Friday 6 November.

Police Community Support Officers

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the future of the Police Community Support Officer role.

Lord Bates: Decisions as to how neighbourhood policing teams are resourced and deployed are operational matters for the relevant Chief Constable, in association with their Police and Crime Commissioner. We recognise the important role Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) play in keeping communities safe and have given PCSOs additional discretionary powers through the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Leader of the House of Lords

House of Lords: Government Defeats

Lord Dobbs: To ask the Leader of the House what percentage of House of Lords divisions resulted in Government defeats (1) in the 2001–2005 Parliament; (2) in the 2005–2010 Parliament; (3) in the 2010–2015 Parliament; and (4) since the 2015 general election to date.

Baroness Stowell of Beeston: Statistics compiled by the Journal Office indicate that the percentage of House of Lords divisions resulting in Government defeats were as follows:ParliamentPercentage of defeats2001-0538%2005-1032%2010-1521%2015-69%

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Iraq: Iran

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of who was responsible for the recent heavy missile attack on Camp Liberty.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We strongly condemn the shameful attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on Thursday 29 October. Officials from our Embassy in Baghdad raised the attack with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office on Friday 30 October and made clear the importance of an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.It is not clear at this stage who carried out the attack. Iraqi militia, the al-Mukhtar Army, has claimed responsibility, but we are unable to verify this claim.In all of our engagement with the Government of Iraq on this issue, including at Ministerial level and in our Statements, we have emphasised the importance of the Iraqi government doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty. We support UN calls for more to be done to protect the residents.

Iraq: Iran

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the recent attack on Camp Liberty, whether they have joined the United States and the UNHCR in condemning the attack, and calling for an independent investigation and prosecution of those responsible, and for the government of Iraq to take additional security measures to protect those who remain in Camp Liberty.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We strongly condemn the shameful attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on Thursday 29 October. Officials from our Embassy in Baghdad raised the attack with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office on Friday 30 October and made clear the importance of an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.In all of our engagement with the Government of Iraq on this issue, including at Ministerial level and in our statements, we have emphasised the importance of the Iraqi government doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty. We support the UN calls for more to be done to protect the residents.

North Korea: Migrant Workers

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of North Korea about the comments by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea that each year more than 50,000 North Koreans are sent abroad to work in conditions that amount to slavery.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We fully support the work of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). On 29 October, we delivered a statement in the UN which welcomed his efforts to improve the lives of ordinary North Koreans while also urging the DPRK authorities to grant him immediate and unhindered access to their country. We will continue to deliver these messages.The Special Rapporteur’s comments on forced labour are deeply concerning and, if accurate, appear to provide further evidence of the DPRK’s lack of respect for international norms. It is important that any country hosting North Korean workers respect their rights. We continue to press the DPRK to make tangible progress on improving its appalling human rights record, most recently in meetings in October between senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and DPRK counterparts in London and Pyongyang.

North Korea: International Criminal Court

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the call by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea for the Kim regime in North Korea to be referred to the International Criminal Court, and whether they intend to discuss that recommendation with each of the other members of the UN Security Council.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We remain concerned by the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We have recently worked with the EU and Japan to co-author a UN resolution on the human rights situation in the DPRK which calls for accountability. We are now working to achieve strong support for this resolution.We hold regular meetings with other UN Security Council member states to identify ways in which we can improve the DPRK’s human rights record. Our most recent meeting was at the UN in New York during October. We will continue to engage with key partners and allies to ensure the need for accountability remains at the heart of the international community’s work to improve the human rights situation in the DPRK.

Burma: Rohingya

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the findings in reports by Yale Law School and Queen Mary University of London, and an investigation by Al-Jazeera, as well as research by Fortify Rights, that claim to provide evidence that genocide is being committed against the Rohingya people in Burma.

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will support calls for the establishment of a full, international, independent investigation by the UN into claims of genocide against the Rohingya in Burma.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: These and other disturbing reports from Rakhine State make clear that the Rohingya are being persecuted and denied the most basic rights. We welcome the work of a highly effective UN Special Rapporteur on Burma, who has shone a spotlight on violations against the Rohingya in Rakhine. She has not characterised the treatment of the Rohingya as genocide, and neither did the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide in his 4 November Statement on Burma's elections.However, any judgement on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for international judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. A UN investigation would require high level international support for which we assess there is little prospect of agreement at this stage. Our approach is to seek an end to all violations, irrespective of whether or not they fit the definition of specific international crimes. British Government Ministers take every appropriate opportunity, both publicly and in private, to press the Burmese authorities to take urgent steps to address the situation of the Rohingya. Most recently, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), did so with the Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in September in New York.

Eritrea: Human Rights

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent UN Commission of Inquiry report on human rights abuses in Eritrea under President Isaias Afwerki.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We recognise the important work of the UN Commission of Inquiry and are concerned by their findings on human rights in Eritrea, in particular reports of arbitrary detention, and shortcomings in the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms. At the Human Rights Council in July, we supported an extension of the Commission’s mandate so that it can continue its work.We regret that the Commission has been unable to visit Eritrea and therefore had to rely on witnesses who are outside of Eritrea and whose testimony may have been based on first-hand experience of Eritrea some time ago. We have made clear to the Government of Eritrea that it must improve respect for human rights and honour its international obligations, including allowing the Commission access.

Iraq: Iran

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent missile attacks on Camp Liberty in Iraq.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We strongly condemn the shameful attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on Thursday 29 October. Officials from our Embassy in Baghdad raised the attack with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office on Friday 30 October and made clear the importance of an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.It is not clear at this stage who carried out the attack. Iraqi militia, the al-Mukhtar Army, has claimed responsibility, but we are unable to verify this claim.In all of our engagement with the Government of Iraq on this issue, including at Ministerial level and in our Statements, we have emphasised the importance of the Iraqi government doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty. We support UN calls for more to be done to protect the residents.

Iraq: Iran

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq to ensure that the residents of Camp Liberty are protected from attacks and receive supplies of food, fuel and medicine.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We strongly condemn the shameful attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on Thursday 29 October. Officials from our Embassy in Baghdad raised the attack with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office on Friday 30 October and made clear the importance of an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.In all of our engagement with the Government of Iraq on this issue, including at Ministerial level and in our statements, we have emphasised the importance of the Iraqi government doing everything possible to ensure the safety and well being of the residents of Camp Liberty. We support the UN's calls for more to be done to protect the residents.

Iraq: Iran

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in co-operation with the UN and other allies to ensure that a long-term solution is found to protect the residents of Camp Liberty.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We strongly condemn the shameful attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on Thursday 29 October. Officials from our Embassy in Baghdad raised the attack with the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office on Friday 30 October and made clear the importance of an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.In all of our engagement with the Government of Iraq on this issue, including at Ministerial level and in our statements, we have emphasised the importance of the Iraqi government doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the residents of Camp Liberty. We support the UN’ calls for more to be done to protect the residents.In 2011 the Government of Iraq signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq which allowed the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to make assessments on applications made by the residents for relocation. The UNHCR assessment process is underway, and a number of residents have now been relocated to third countries.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations have been made to the government of Israel concerning their use of live ammunition for crowd control.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv most recently raised our concerns over the use of force, including lethal force, on 4 November with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Envoy on the Peace Process, Isaac Molho. He also raised our concerns with the Israeli Commander of Government Activities in the Territories, General Mordechai on 26 October.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the new Israel Defence Forces rules of engagement with Palestinian stone-throwers, and the Israeli sentencing policy towards those individuals.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of press reports of changes to Israel Defence Forces Rules of Engagement. We are also aware of changes to sentencing policy. Like all countries, Israel has a right to defend its citizens from attack and to hold perpetrators of attacks to account. We nevertheless regularly raise with Israel concerns over the use of force, including lethal force, by Israeli security authorities. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv did this most recently on 4 November with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Envoy on the Peace Process, Isaac Molho, stressing the need for proportionality and proper accountability.

West Bank: Arson

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in bringing to justice those responsible for the arson attack on the Dawabsheh family in Duma.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We understand that the Israeli authorities believe they know the group that was involved, but unfortunately, at the moment, they do not have the evidence needed to bring individual suspects to trial. On 3 November, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv met the Israeli Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and received assurances that the investigation into the arson attack on the Dawabsheh family is continuing. Our Embassy will continue to request updates from the Ministry of Justice on this case and other cases of settler violence.

West Bank

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning the case for ensuring accountability for violence both by Israeli settlers and by the Israel Defence Forces as a means to restore calm in the West Bank.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We regularly raise the issue of settler violence and the need for accountability with the Israeli authorities. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv most recently raised our concerns over the use of force, including lethal force, on 4 November with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Envoy on the Peace Process, Isaac Molho, stressing the need for proportionality and proper accountability. Our Ambassador also raised this issue with the Israeli Commander of Government Activities in the Territories, General Mordechai, on 26 October, and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General on 28 October.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the demolition of the homes of Palestinian suspects as an act of collective punishment and deterrence.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We regularly raise the issue of demolitions with the Israeli government. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised the issue most recently with the Israeli Commander of Government Activities in the Territories, General Mordechai, on 26 October, and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General on 28 October. Our Consul-General to Jerusalem also raised the issue of demolitions with the Mayor of Jerusalem on 28 October.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Israeli ministers over the prosecution of settlers for acts of violence against Palestinians.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We regularly raise the issue of settler violence with the Israeli authorities. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv most recently raised our concerns on 26 October with the Israeli Commander of Government Activities in the Territories, General Mordechai. He pressed for a swift resolution of the investigation into the attack that occurred in Duma in July, as well raising wider concerns around increasing settler violence, including during the olive harvest.

Burma: Human Rights

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of public threats made in Burma against the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma.

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations Ministers have made to the Burmese authorities regarding threats made in Burma against the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma.

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made through the Permanent Mission to the United Nations regarding the incitement of violence in Burma against the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma.

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they give to the office of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government supports the Special Rapporteur, Professor Yanghee Lee, and deplores the hateful and threatening language that has been used against her by MaBaTha monk Wirathu. We have also called for Burma’s Ministry of Religious Affairs to take action on the matter. I was able to convey my sympathy and concern to Professor Lee in person during her visit to London in March. Last week, we publicly reiterated our support for Professor Lee and her mandate at the UN General Assembly in New York, at a dedicated session discussing her most recent report on the Human rights situation in Burma.Unfortunately, statements like those of Wirathu are symptomatic of a troubling rise in intolerance, discrimination and hate speech in Burma. We have repeatedly raised our concerns over this trend, both bilaterally and in company with our international partners. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), did so with senior Burmese government ministers during his visit to Burma in July and, most recently, with Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in September in New York.

EU Immigration

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Germany to discourage them from creating a "pull factor" for migrants and refugees to enter the European Union.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Mr Fallon), as well as other ministers and officials, have all recently discussed migration with their German counterparts. These discussions have covered all aspects of the migration crisis, including measures to reduce the flow of refugees and other migrants into the EU.

Balkans: Immigration

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the influx of refugees and migrants into the Western Balkans on the security situation in that region, and what discussions they have had with (1) NATO, and (2) the EU, about that issue.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government makes ongoing assessments of the impact of refugees and migrants on the security situation in the Western Balkans. There have been limited discussions in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on migration as the issue is largely a national and EU competence. NATO can address some of the causes of migration by helping to improve the security and resilience of countries in the region through its partnership frameworks and Defence Capacity Building activity. We have been in regular contact with the EU on addressing all aspects of the crisis. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Teresa May), participated in an EU Conference with Western Balkans and other countries in Luxembourg on 8 October, which agreed a comprehensive package of measures for dealing with the challenges of migration through the Eastern Mediterranean route. We consider it important that the actions agreed at this Conference, and other actions agreed between the EU and the Western Balkans - notably the 17-point Plan of 25 October - are implemented as soon as possible.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Immigration

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina about the refugee and migrant crisis in the Western Balkans, and what provisions are in place to offer (1) UK, and (2) EU, support to the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the event of an influx of refugees and migrants into that country.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are in contact with all governments of the region on the migration crisis. On 23 September, the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), pledged a UK contribution of £308,078 to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)'s Sarajevo office for contingency planning. This was part of a wider pledge of £3.1 million of aid to international agencies to support Western Balkans countries affected by the migration crisis. On 1 November, the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), announced a further £5 million of humanitarian aid to the countries on the Eastern Mediterranean route. We are also contributing substantially through EU assistance programmes in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The EU has provided €8.5 million of migration-related assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some of this has been spent on technical assistance for effectively managing migration and asylum. It has also been spent on supply of equipment and on the construction of a reception facility for migrants. The EU is due to spend a further €2 million to support BiH’s border police.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Immigration

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of institutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina to cope with a potential influx of refugees and migrants, in the light of the political and security situation in that country.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) earlier this month gave a positive assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)’s contingency planning, particularly in Bijeljina and Trebenje, which are two areas that could be at risk of overspill. The British Government remains concerned about BiH’s limited capacity to register an influx of arrivals, and to conduct security screening, including through the use of biometrics. We welcome the fact that BiH and the UNHCR have identified the establishment of reception centres close to likely border crossing points as a priority, and look forward to the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s provision of a comprehensive needs assessment to inform planning for external support.

Turkey: Detainees

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Turkey about the release of mayors, party officials, lawyers and journalists who have been arrested but not convicted; and what responses they have received.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK continues to raise human rights issues at the highest levels, including the detention of journalists in Turkey in recent months. We strongly encourage Turkey to continue to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, especially in the areas of minority rights and freedom of expression.

Turkey: Kurds

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have asked, or will ask, the government of Turkey to hold an independent inquiry into the closures and curfews imposed on the districts of Cizre and Sur by the security forces in September; whether they plan to ask the government to ensure that full compensation is paid for civilians killed or wounded, and that responsibility be established for deaths and injuries; and if not, why not.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We welcome the visit on 15-16 October of Turkey’s national human rights body to Cizre and Sirnak to conduct analysis and research on the recent events there. We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Turkey closely and raise concerns regularly with the Turkish authorities. At the same time, we recognise Turkey has a right to act proportionately in response to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) violence. PKK attacks must stop and peace talks resume soon, in the interests of Turkey and the wider region. The UK stands ready to help in any way it can.

Saudi Arabia: Foreign Relations

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current state of relations between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK and Saudi Arabia have a strong and broad relationship. We work closely on mutual security interests and also in areas as diverse as education, energy, defence, trade, culture and the challenges facing the Middle East. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), said during a press conference in Riyadh on 28 October, “the UK and Saudi Arabia have a long and deeply established relationship. We have worked together over many many years including difficult times as well as easier times”.

Tunisia: Terrorism

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last reviewed the security situation in Tunisia in respect of Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We keep the security situation in Tunisia under constant review, and have been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to improve their capacity to deter and respond to the threats they face.

EU Reform

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what criteria, following negotiations, they will assess whether the European Union has been reformed.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has been clear on the four areas where we seek to address the concerns of the British public: sovereignty, economic governance, competitiveness and welfare and immigration. He has written to the President of the European Council to set out the changes that the UK wants to see. We will work together with other countries to discuss and agree reforms before holding a referendum to ensure that the British people have the final and decisive say on the UK's membership of the EU.

Department for International Development

Natural Disasters

Lord Crisp: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support low- and middle-income countries to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.

Baroness Verma: We remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable countries and communities to better withstand and recover from the impact of disasters. However, we are still assessing the full implications of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 for DFID programmes.The Sendai Framework is one of many guides which we can draw on to help shape our approach to safeguarding development gains from the impact of disasters. DFID is already supporting developing countries to help them reduce risk and build resilience, through its support to multilaterals and through country programmes.

Natural Disasters

Lord Crisp: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the potential contribution of British scientists and institutions to the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.

Baroness Verma: Effective disaster risk reduction management is critical to sustainable development.Science has a key role to play in helping us to better understand disaster risks and developing more robust DRR approaches. It can help us to better predict and respond to a range of natural hazards such as floods and storms, droughts, extreme temperatures, health epidemics and pandemics.The new framework will help encourage greater engagement from and with the scientific community in order to reduce disaster risk and build resilience. British scientists already play a significant role in helping the UK prepare for and respond to disasters. While we expect British scientists and institutions to play an important role, we are still assessing the full implications of the Sendai Framework.

Department for Education

Schools: Playing Fields

Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the sale of the playing fields of over 100 schools since 2010 on the physical fitness of young people.

Lord Nash: The Government does not approve the sale of playing fields but assesses applications from schools and local authorities to dispose of them. A disposal can include a lease of the playing fields to a third-party commercial organisation with the fields, following investment and improvement, continuing to be used by the school.It is neither the government nor the Department for Education that instigate the disposal of playing fields. It is the local authorities, academies or schools that seek consent to convert these often surplus or un-used fields to enable them to invest in school sport or education. However, there is strict control in place which requires an assessment of the facilities available to pupils. The government will only give permission to dispose of school playing fields if it is clearly demonstrated that they are surplus to requirements and the sports and curriculum needs of the school and its neighbouring schools will continue to be met.Since any approved disposal would not impact on the provision of the sports curriculum at the school/s, no follow up studies on the sale of playing fields has been undertaken.

Grammar Schools: Admissions

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether children from low socioeconomic status backgrounds with lower 11-plus test scores are more or less likely to be offered grammar school places than children from higher socioeconomic status backgrounds; and what steps they are taking to achieve equality of opportunity in education.

Lord Nash: The Department does not collect data on the selection test scores of prospective applicants to grammar schools.We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. The recent report by the Public Accounts Committee on ‘Funding for disadvantaged pupils’ stated that, since the introduction of the pupil premium, the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has closed by 4.7 percentage points in primary schools and by 1.6 percentage points in secondary schools.We continue to invest in our academies and free schools programme, which is already raising standards in areas serving some of our most disadvantaged young people.We are also putting high expectations at the heart of our school system, with a rigorous new curriculum, world-class exams, and a new accountability system that rewards schools that encourage every child to achieve their best.

Maternity Leave: Discrimination

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the research on maternity discrimination, Pregnancy and Maternity – Related Discrimination and Disadvantage: First Findings, whether they will consider extending the time limit for bringing maternity discrimination claims before an employment tribunal from three to six months.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The government will await the final report on pregnancy and maternity discrimination and carefully consider any recommendations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission before deciding on next steps.

Ministry of Justice

Prisoners' Release

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government (1) how many decisions to grant release on temporary licence were made, and (2) what type of licence was granted in each prison establishment, in each month since January 2013.

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government (1) how many people were granted release on temporary licence, and (2) what type of licence was granted in each prison establishment, in each month since January 2013.

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prisoners were granted leave on childcare resettlement licence in each month since January 2013.

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people aged (1) 50–59, and (2) 60 and over, were granted release on temporary licence in each month since January 2013.

Lord Faulks: The Ministry of Justice collates data on incidences of release on temporary licence (ROTL) rather than on decisions to grant ROTL. A decision to grant ROTL can relate to a single incidence of release, or to more than one incidence of release where, for example, an offender is regularly working in the community on day release. Annual statistics on the numbers of individuals granted ROTL is published on the gov.uk website.The attached tables provide the following information:Table 1: The number of individuals released on temporary licence per quarter between January 2013 and June 2015 by prison;Table 2: Incidences of release on temporary licence per month between January 2013 and June 2015 by prison and by type of licence;Table 3: The number of individuals aged 50 to 59, and 60 and over released on temporary licence per quarter between January 2013 and June 2015.The Ministry of Justice collates data relating to the number of individuals released on temporary licence on a quarterly basis: it would only be possible to provide monthly data at disproportionate cost.Following changes to ROTL in 2013, there has been a 39% reduction in recorded instances of ROTL failure. This is the lowest failure rate since 2002.ROTL can be an important tool to help rehabilitate prisoners. ROTL is not automatic, but is only granted following rigorous assessment and with public protection as a primary consideration. The Government supports prisoners using temporary release to take work, training and educational opportunities that cannot be provided in prison, as well as for maintaining ties with their families.



 individuals on ROTL per quarter - 1/2013 - 7/2015
(Excel SpreadSheet, 47 KB)




 incidences of ROTL per month - 1/2013 - 7/2015
(Excel SpreadSheet, 128 KB)




individuals 50+ ROTL per quarter - 1/2013 - 7/2015
(Excel SpreadSheet, 23.5 KB)

Immigration: Appeals

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 2 November (HL2703), what duty they have, if any, to enable First Tier Tribunals to deal with asylum and immigration cases fairly and within a reasonable time.

Lord Faulks: The Lord Chancellor has responsibility for ensuring an effective and efficient system of tribunal administration. This duty encompasses the First-tier Tribunal. The Lord Chancellor must also uphold the continued independence of the judiciary and in doing so have regard to their need to have the support necessary to enable them to exercise their functions.HM Courts & Tribunals Service has allocated additional court time in place between December 2015 and June 2016 to ensure current waiting times do not increase for the tribunal user.

Council Tax: Unpaid Taxes

Baroness Afshar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) men, and (2) women, were imprisoned for non-payment of council tax in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, and (c) 2014.

Lord Faulks: Data showing how many people were imprisoned for non-payment of council tax in 2012, 2013 and 2014 are presented in the table below:YearFemaleMaleNot Specified2012416242013416072014334511It should be noted that there are a few cases where the gender of the defendant has not been specified and these have been shown separately in the table above.These data are sourced from the Libra Management Information System (MIS). As such this data set is not subject to the same levels of quality assurance as national statisticsIn extracting this data only offences of complaint for council tax committal application have been included where the court hearing date occurred within each year reported (i.e. between 1 January and 31 December).It should also be noted that, although committals to prison are reported as occurring within a particular financial year, the non-payment of council tax itself may relate to a previous financial year or even a period covering more than one financial year.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Electronic Surveillance: USA

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 3 November (HL2678), what steps they propose to take following the European Court of Justice's judgments in case C-362/14, Maximillian Schrems v Data Protection Commissioner.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 3rdNovember [HL2678].

Broadband

Lord Wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the progress being made in achieving their target of establishing superfast broadband coverage to 90 per cent of the UK by 2016.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government’s Superfast Broadband Programme, which has £1.7 billion of funding from central government, local authorities, devolved administrations and European funding sources, has contributed to well over 3 million homes and businesses in the UK having access to superfast broadband. Our programme remains on track to deliver superfast broadband coverage to 90% of the UK by early 2016 and to 95% of the UK by December 2017.

Football

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote walking football.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We are investing in walking football via Sport England as part of the FA's new National Game Strategy toget more people playing football. Sport England is currently working closely with the FA to understand the growing market for walking football.In partnership with the FA, the Premier League and Football League Community Foundations are also getting people playing walking football.

Broadband: Small Businesses

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve broadband networks in the UK to support small businesses.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Since 2010 the proportion of households and businesses with access to superfast broadband has risen from 45% to 83%. Thanks to the Government's investment this will rise to 95 per cent by the end of 2017. In addition, the Government's Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme has been a tremendous success. More than 55,000 small businesses across the UK have taken up the offer, many of which are already seeing significant boosts to their business as a result of improved broadband speeds.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Bovine Tuberculosis

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the badgers culled in the pilots undertaken in 2013 and 2014 had tuberculosis.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Badgers culled under licence in Somerset and Gloucestershire in 2013 and 2014 were not routinely tested for tuberculosis (TB), since this research had already been carried out under the Random Badger Cull Trial (RBCT). However, testing of badgers between 1998 and 2005 via the Randomised Badger Culling Trial and Road Traffic Accident surveys provided evidence of the typical prevalence of TB in badgers in areas of high incidence of TB in cattle. TB was found in around one third of all badgers in these areas.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to release the value-for-money assessment on the badger cull pilots undertaken in 2013 and 2014.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The expected benefits of the policy remain in line with those in the ‘Measures to address bovine tuberculosis in badgers’ impact assessment published in 2011. It will be some years before actual benefits can be quantified.

Common Agricultural Policy

Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 27 October (HL2665), how much of the 2015 Common Agricultural Policy budget has been, or will be, spent in support of United Kingdom agriculture.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: In 2015, the UK has been allocated around 7% of the total CAP budget, equivalent to a total of €4 billion.In pounds sterling, based on the average European central Bank exchange rate for September used for calculating direct payments, this equates to a total of £2.9 billion. Of this amount, £2.3 billion is allocated to Pillar 1 direct payments and £620 million to Pillar 2 rural development.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations

Lord Patel of Bradford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in implementing the proposed voluntary agreement with housing associations regarding the extended right to buy, how they will safeguard the land interests of charities that have been acquired by charitable donation.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Under the voluntary agreement with the National Housing Federation, there will be a presumption that housing association tenants will have the right to purchase their home at Right to Buy level discounts, but associations will not be obliged to sell particular properties where there are reasons why this would not be in the interests of their operations.This includes housing associations exercising discretion over the sale of properties provided through charitable or public-benefit resources or bequeathed for charitable or public-benefit purposes, and in the possession of the housing association before it became registered under the Housing Act 1974 (or later equivalent legislation).

HM Treasury

Smuggling: Northern Ireland

Baroness Harris of Richmond: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent of cross-border smuggling between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and how many prosecutions for such smuggling have been recorded in the past five years.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The government is committed to tackling the fraudulent evasion of duty. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) records statistics for excise offences in Northern Ireland by regime; hydrocarbon oil, tobacco and alcohol. It does not separate out those involving smuggling between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.By their very nature these offences can include cross border aspects and HMRC works closely with the Revenue Commissioners in the Republic of Ireland to disrupt criminal activity connected with these goods. This includes regular exchange of intelligence, joint operational activity and the gathering of evidence for use in criminal prosecutions.

Department of Health

Congenital Abnormalities

Lord Rooker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications of research published by Obeid et al on preventable spina bifida and anencephaly in Europe for the development of a policy to reduce births affected by neural tube defects.

Lord Rooker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to review the Teratology Society recommendation regarding mandating folic acid fortification in Europe.

Lord Prior of Brampton: We have not formally reviewed the 2015 Obeid paper but officials are aware of its conclusions which are in line with information already considered by Ministers.The recommendation in the Teratology Society in essence repeats current advice on folic acid supplements. There are no plans to review this advice.

Congenital Abnormalities

Lord Rooker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about the average prevalence of births affected by neural tube defects in countries applying food fortification with folic acid compared to those countries that do not.

Lord Rooker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the prevalence of births affected by neural tube defects in the United Kingdom, and how that figure compares with (1) other member states of the European Union, and (2) the United States and Canada.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Data about fortifying and non-fortifying countries is not extensive and does not identify fortifiers and non-fortifiers in a meaningful way. As a result we do not have comparable data for prevalence of births with neural tube defects (NTDs) across the European Union or with North America pre and post fortification. Available data on prevalence is in the public domain and is listed below:Prevalence of NTD per 10,000 births for those EU members states where figures are availableUnited Kingdom12.8Belgium 88.54Croatia4.64Denmark11.24France12.70Germany11.00Ireland8.19Italy5.36Netherlands6.71Poland10.14Portugal4.27Spain9.55Source: EUROCAT Special Report: Prevalence of Neural Tube Defects in younger mothers in Europe 20002008. EUROCAT (2010)United States6.5Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Updated Estimates of Neural Tube Defects Prevented by Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification — United States, 1995–2011. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2015; 64: 1-5.

Care Quality Commission: Fees and Charges

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the costs to the National Health Service of the proposed increases in fees set out in the consultation paper published by the Care Quality Commission on 2 November.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost to care providers of the proposed increases in fees set out in the options in the consultation paper published by Care Quality Commission on 2 November.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published an initial impact assessment of the proposed fee increases alongside its consultation document. The CQC will publish a final impact assessment alongside its response to consultation document in March 2016. The initial impact assessment is attached and can be found on the CQC’s website at:http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/health-and-social-care-fees-consultation.Under HM Treasury guidance (Managing Public Money), public bodies are required to set fees in order to cover the full cost of regulatory activities. The proposed fees increases being consulted upon for 2016-17 reflect the CQC’s commitment to achieving full cost recovery, in line with Managing Public Money, within the period of the Spending Review. The fees being charged are therefore funding the CQC as an effective regulator, they allow the CQC’s tough inspection regime to drive up standards across the country, which in turn ensures quality and safety of health and social care provision.The CQC does not underestimate the impact on providers of paying fees, and will continue to look carefully at its costs relating to regulation. The CQC has a responsibility to recover its regulatory costs by charging fees, but it is also accountable for demonstrating that CQC is fair, efficient, effective and proportionate. The CQC advises that in relation to the overall spending on health and adult social care in England is 0.16%.



Health and Social Care Fees Consultation
(PDF Document, 279.34 KB)